Was Trump right to declare 'national emergency' for border wall?

Story TOpics

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) - Fairbanks-area officials are considering measures that would increase property taxes to raise millions of dollars for the replacement and upkeep of public buildings.

The Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly is scheduled to vote Thursday on three ordinances that would fund maintenance projects for buildings, including the animal shelter, community centers and schools, the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported .

One of the measures is a $66.4 million bond package that would raise property taxes starting in 2020 by $100 per $100,000 worth of property.

The bond proposal would fund six projects, including the replacement and enlargement of the borough animal shelter, finishing the Barnette Magnet School remodel and major maintenance work at the Big Dipper Ice Arena, the John A. Carlson Community Activity Center and the Juanita Helms Administration Center.

The list of projects can still be modified and other projects are being reviewed, borough Mayor Karl Kassel said.

“We have to start paying our own way with facilities or close the doors on them,” Kassel told the assembly last week.

The second proposal would authorize the assembly to raise $2 million per year for six years, or $24 per $100,000 worth of property. The funding would be exempt from the property tax cap, and it would be directed to repairing the Mary Siah Recreation Center.

The third measure allows the assembly to raise up to $8.5 million annually outside of the voter-imposed tax cap. The money would be placed in the facilities maintenance reserve fund to support any building project.

All three measures would require voter approval in the October election if they are approved by the assembly.